Erica Orloff - The Golden Girl

When they were done, they were both sweaty and completely spent. She climbed off him and then nestled against him. “Please don’t leave today.”

“Never.”

And soon, Madison was sleeping soundly next to John, feeling safer than she had in weeks. Maybe her whole life.

Chapter 17

Madison and John had dinner at Nobu. They took his Harley—but her American Express card. And they had a great time.

“I’ve never had sushi before,” he said shyly.

“Let me order for us, then, okay?”

He nodded, and she placed their order, choosing milder fish she thought a beginner might like. They drank hot sake, and then a cold filtered one. Madison felt downright giddy. All the time she had been dreading John discovering her wealth, she’d never stopped to think about all the fun they could have spending it. She imagined trips and dinners and skiing and weekends at the beach over the summer.

“You look happy,” he said. “I like it when you smile.”

“It’s just such a relief not to have this secret between us. I feel like a hundred-pound weight has been lifted from my chest. And I love the idea that we can have Manhattan as a playground together.”

“As long as I get to play with you, then I don’t mind, angel.”

“You know, when you say things like that…I get…so turned on.”

“Dessert at your place?”

She nodded. When dinner was over, they rode back to her building and made love again.

“Stay the night?” she asked him, leaning up on one elbow and tracing her fingers along his chest. She thought back in her mind—she had never asked a man to spend the night before. She was always working in her home office late into the night—staying the night would be inconvenient. But with John, she just didn’t care.

“Can’t, angel. I’ve got to get up really early to face a classroom full of teens tomorrow. What about tomorrow night you stay over after tutoring?”

“Can’t. Have you read in the papers about the murder of Pruitt & Pruitt’s legal counsel?”

“Vaguely. It didn’t register before, you know? I don’t pay much attention to anything having to do with Wall Street. I don’t watch the news—I’m usually going over lesson plans.”

“She was my best friend. And she was murdered. And my father is a suspect.”

“What?” He narrowed his eyes and looked at her in the flickering light of a candle they’d lit.

“It’s a really ugly story, but the bottom line is, they were lovers and they hid the affair from me. When she died, she and I were estranged. I don’t think my father killed her. I don’t think he hired someone to do it. But the fact remains that until the police do find out who did it, our company’s stock will go down unless he is replaced as CEO and chairman. He wants me to be the new CEO…and my uncle Bing wants to be CEO.”

“What do you want?”

“Well, I find Bing out of touch with the employees. He’s just not the person to lead us forward, I don’t think. And I’ve been groomed for this my whole life.”

“Then you should go for it…. I understand about tomorrow. What about later in the week?”

“You don’t happen to own a tux, do you?”

“No, Madison. I don’t have a tux hanging in my closet. Don’t have much call for one in my line of work.” He reached around and pinched her backside.

“Ouch,” she said, laughing. “Well, what if I was to send you to my father’s tailor and have him fit you for one pronto? Could you escort me to a little party on Thursday and then maybe stay over?”

“Sure. What kind of little party?”

“Oh…a fund-raiser.”

“What kind of fund-raiser?” he asked, playfully suspicious.

“Oh, you know…for New York senator Ellie Richardson.”

“Please tell me you’re kidding.”

She shook her head. “No, I’m not.”

“Sure, I’ll go. But if I get Senator Richardson alone for two minutes, I’m going to ask her why she’s cut funding for education.”

Madison laughed. “Good for you! You do that. But she’s no pushover.”

“That’s all right. Neither am I.”

Bing was furious. Madison could see it in his eyes. The board had voted to “temporarily” ask Jack Pruitt to step down until the “cloud of suspicion surrounding the death of Claire Shipley is resolved, though the board has every confidence in his innocence.” The press release went on to state, “In the interim, the board has named Madison Taylor-Pruitt as acting CEO. Ms. Taylor-Pruitt has proved herself a capable and visionary leader, and we have no doubt this decision is the one to steer our corporation and shareholders in the twenty-first century.”

Bing asked her to step into his office after the board meeting.

“Shut the door.”

Madison did as he asked, bracing herself for the confrontation. Her uncle was a near-twin of her father, though his hairline receded a bit and his hair was all silver. He stood about six feet tall, and had the build of a former world-class diver—broad shoulders and lean physique.

“I hope you’re satisfied with your little coup d’état,” he hissed. He was always condescending to everyone.

“It wasn’t a coup, Bing. This company needs energetic leadership, and for right now, we need a smooth transition.”

“Look…you can fool them all, but you and your father can’t fool me. I think this entire disgrace has been orchestrated.”

“I won’t even dignify that with a response. Claire is dead. That’s hardly an orchestrated act simply to win a seat as CEO, Bing. When you calm down, then we’ll talk.”

Madison turned on her heel.

“I’m not through with you, young lady. Don’t you dare walk out on me.”

“Well, I’m done with you. And as new CEO, I have a busy agenda.”

She walked out of his office and slammed the door behind her.

“What’s wrong, Madison?” Bing’s administrative assistant asked her.

“Nothing, Katherine. He’s just clearly unhappy with the board’s decision.”

Katherine Gould nodded. She was about fifty, and Madison always thought she was truly elegant. She worked her hair into a ballerina topknot each day, accentuating her high cheekbones, and Madison knew Bing gave her a clothing allowance. He was absolutely convinced that only the most impeccable assistant should greet anyone he did business with—it reflected on him, just as, Madison was sure, he felt the present scandal reflected on him as well.

“He’s been under a great deal of stress lately,” she whispered.

“We all have, Katherine.”

“I know…but…” Katherine looked completely torn.

“What?”

“I don’t know if I should tell you, though as new CEO…”

“Katherine, whatever you say to me, I will hold in strictest confidence. I’ve always had an open-door policy with my people. And by that I mean this entire company, from the cleaning crew to my executives.”

Katherine’s eyes welled. “What if it had to do with your father?”

Madison tried not to reveal her emotions. “If he’s in trouble, Katherine, it’s my duty as CEO—and as his daughter—to help him, while at the same time not letting it affect the company as a whole.”

Katherine nodded and bit her lip. Looking over at Bing’s office, she saw he was facing away, on the phone, staring out at his view of the skyline. She handed Madison a file, wordlessly. Madison simply nodded and said, “Whatever’s here, I’ll respect your confidence and faith in me.”

She took the file folder and, without looking back and acting as if anything was wrong, retreated to the executive elevators and went to her floor and office.

Once there, she told her assistant she wanted to see Troy. She had expected a raised eyebrow or two over the Rubi Cho picture; however, she guessed that her long-standing reputation as the company’s biggest workaholic preceded her. No one seemed to believe the trip was anything but business. Madison didn’t know if that made her feel better—or worse. Had she forgotten how to have fun all these years? There had to be a happy medium between Kiki Davis tossing her thong to the crowd—and Madison.